ABSTRACT

Adolescence is a critical period for cultural identity formation, making educational interventions that foster cultural awareness and competence essential for optimal development. Drama aesthetic education can serve to encourage cultural diversity and inclusivity among adolescents. This six-month study investigates the impact of drama aesthetic education on cultural development, specifically focusing on cultural self-confidence, awareness, and competence within Chinese college and university drama societies. The study explores the potential mediating mechanisms through which drama-related activities influence cultural outcomes in adolescents. Addressing these research objectives enhances understanding of the transformative potential of drama aesthetic education to foster positive youth development, cultural diversity, and inclusivity among Chinese adolescents. Using a longitudinal design, self-reported questionnaires were administered across three cycles over six months to 150 participants from Chinese college and university drama societies. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted to examine the associations between drama aesthetic education and adolescent cultural development. Findings indicate that drama aesthetic education significantly improved adolescents' cultural self-confidence, awareness, and competence. The study also identifies self-expression and cultural competence as mediators in the relationship between drama participation and cultural outcomes, emphasizing their role in adolescent cultural development. By examining the long-term effects of drama aesthetic education on adolescent cultural growth within Chinese academic drama societies, this research offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers on promoting positive adolescent development, cultural diversity, and inclusivity in educational settings. The findings contribute to the understanding of cultural development by illustrating the ways arts-based interventions can influence adolescents' cultural identities and perceptions.